Director of the Institute

Francesco D’Arrigo is a Founding member and Director of the Italian Institute of Strategic Studies “Niccolò Machiavelli.” D’Arrigo holds a Bachelor and MA of Science in Political Science and served as Officer in the Italian Navy, graduating Naval Aviator and military helicopter pilot from the U.S. Navy Flight Training Command in Pensacola, Corpus Christi and Whiting Field. Earning several specializations as aircraft and helicopter Commander, Francesco D’Arrigo’s professional career has followed two main tracks: one in Military and Civil Aviation and another in academe. Leading university Departments, Research centers and think tanks, D’Arrigo has overseen the design and implementation of European Commission-funded Research programs, Master’s degrees, advanced training and post graduate courses, seminars and international conferences. Captain D’Arrigo is a lecturer on aviation security and author of several publications in topics such as defense, strategic intelligence, homeland security, transportation and negotiation. He is Founding Partner of GEOS Enterprise, “Full Member” of the International Institute for Strategic Studies – London (IISS), analyst and freelance editor of Start Magazine.